A Little Respect

15 August 2014

Rick Cowdery

WHISPER it in these parts, but there is more than grudging respect for Exeter City at Home Park.

While the Green Army could probably not bring themselves to say a good word about Saturday’s Sky Bet League 2 visitors to the Theatre of Greens, Reuben Reid was happy to tip his hat towards the achievements of Grecians’ gaffer Paul Tisdale.

“Their manager is a really good manager,” said the Pilgrims’ prolific number 9. “I think he works really well with what resources he’s got.

“When you play against a Tisdale team, you know it. He can put his identity on his team. All of his teams are going to be a good footballing team. Hopefully, it will make for a really good game.”

Despite praising the City boss, Reuben is fired up for the derby following the valiant effort Argyle put up in their Capital One Cup penalty shoot-out exit to League One Leyton Orient on Tuesday after a 3-3 draw.

The fixture normally brings the best out of the two sides, with goals near enough guaranteed as the last 0-0 came back in 1978 in the most anticipated fixture of the season.

“When you’re both in the league together, I think that’s the fixture everyone looks out for,” said Reuben, “and, for some reason, this fixture has popped up as the first home game of the season.

“Hopefully, after an encouraging two-thirds of the game on Tuesday night, we can get a big crowd in and put a show in for the fans and get a positive result.